Why Cancer Prevention Deserves More Attention
Every October, the world takes on a pink hue to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a symbol of solidarity, remembrance, and resilience. Yet, behind the sea of pink ribbons lies an urgent question we must ask ourselves: Are we focusing enough on preventing cancer, or are we still playing catch-up by investing more in treatment than in proactive health strategies? As a scientist, and more importantly, as someone connected to the soil and soul of Kashmir and who has lost loved ones to cancer, I find this month an opportunity to advocate for a shift in how we think about cancer, not just as a disease to treat but as one to prevent. The reality in Kashmir is sobering. Recent cancer statistics show a troubling rise in cases, especially breast cancer, which now ranks as the most common cancer among women in our region.
Many of these cases are diagnosed at later stages, when treatment becomes more complicated and survival chances decrease. These are not just numbers in a registry; they are our mothers, sisters, daughters, and neighbors, whose lives might have taken a different path if there had been a greater emphasis on early detection and prevention. The reasons behind this surge are complex, including urbanization, changes in diet, reduced physical activity, exposure to environmental toxins, delayed childbirth, and a lack of awareness. Add to this the cultural silence around women’s health, and you have a perfect storm of risk factors that remain largely unaddressed. In our society, unfortunately, the focus still remains on treating disease after it manifests rather than preventing it from taking hold.
Despite the fact that global health authorities, including the World Health Organization, estimate that nearly 30 to 50 percent of all cancer cases are preventable, this statistic should push policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to rethink their strategies. Smoking and tobacco use remain some of the biggest causes, responsible for about 22 percent of all cancer deaths. But that’s just the start. Factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, poor diets, lack of physical activity, infections like HPV and Hepatitis B, and even exposure to air pollution significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. For breast cancer specifically, regular self-examinations, clinical breast exams, timely mammograms, and maintaining a healthy weight are proven methods to lower incidence and death rates. The availability of the HPV vaccine, which cuts the risk of cervical cancer by over 90%, is another breakthrough tool that remains underused due to myths, misinformation, and limited access. We do not lack knowledge; we lack implementation.
Why then, despite the tools available to us, does prevention still receive less emphasis? One reason is that preventive health lacks the drama and immediacy associated with treatment. Hospitals with advanced equipment, top-notch surgical capabilities, and cutting-edge medications attract attention and funding. Prevention, on the other hand, is quiet. It requires behavioral change, ongoing awareness, and investment in primary healthcare, which are challenging to promote but crucial in the long run. In places like Kashmir, additional obstacles exist. Deep-rooted stigma often prevents women from openly discussing symptoms related to their breasts or reproductive organs. Many feel ashamed, fearful, or hesitant to see a doctor until the disease has progressed significantly. This reluctance, combined with insufficient screening programs, leads to preventable tragedies. Additionally, health-seeking behavior in our region tends to be reactive rather than proactive. We visit the doctor when we are sick, not to maintain health. This mindset needs to change. Preventive healthcare should be integrated into daily life, rather than being treated as an afterthought.
To make that happen, several steps must be taken. First, we need to break the silence. Education and awareness campaigns should not be limited to urban centers or hospital corridors; they should extend into mosques, schools, panchayat meetings, and homes. We must normalize conversations around breast cancer and women’s health. Second, mobile cancer screening units should be deployed in rural and underserved areas to ensure early detection. Third, young girls should be educated on reproductive health and vaccinated against HPV. Local health workers, especially female ASHA workers, can be powerful agents of change if trained and supported to deliver these messages in their communities. But above all, we need a policy-level shift that prioritizes prevention. Funds must be allocated not just for treatment facilities but also for lifestyle education, screening programs, and preventive counseling.
We must also train medical professionals to emphasize lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco cessation during routine consultations. Breast Cancer Awareness Month should be more than symbolic; it should ignite real, measurable changes in how we address the disease, especially in vulnerable regions like ours. While celebrating advances in cancer treatments, including immunotherapies and personalized medicine, we must remember that the most humane and cost-effective cancer strategy is prevention: making healthy choices, undergoing regular check-ups, getting vaccinated, and fostering a healthcare ecosystem that makes prevention easy, accessible, and culturally acceptable.
As someone involved in cancer research and global health for a long time, I can confidently say that science supports us. We understand how to lower risk and what methods are effective. What’s needed now is action, and that action starts at home, in schools, in policy discussions, and in the minds of every individual. Let this October be more than just a sea of pink. Let it be a time of awareness. Let it be the moment we in Kashmir choose to prioritize life, not only through treatment but through prevention. Our people deserve that. Our future depends on it.
